January 16, 2011 - Happy Birthday, Annie & Otto

Annie and Otto were born three years ago today. When I got them the were ten weeks old, and I had to pick from what remained of a litter of six....

I chose Annie (front) for myself, and Otto (back right) for Mr. Granny. I really think their personalities show in this photo.

Annie had already been named Houdini, Dini for short. She got her name from being the escape artist of the litter, a problem I never had with her once she was "home". I had already named the pups before I met them. Well, I named Annie, and Mr. Granny named Otto. I had wanted to call him "Oscar", and it took me a couple of months to remember to call him by the correct name.

I guess their names were meant to be. When I looked over their AKC papers, I found Annie's mother's name was Lady Anne, and Otto's great-grandfather was General Otto!

Annie and Otto are my first ever non-rescue dogs, with the exception of a cocker spaniel Mr. Granny brought home years ago. That dog had such a nasty disposition, we couldn't trust him around our small children. We found him a good home with an older couple. I really didn't have much trust in pure bred dogs after that, until I met Annie and Otto's human family. The pups were born on a farm, to a family dog. They were born and raised in the kitchen, with children to play with and love. It shows in their gentle personalities...they are barkers, but never biters. The human family has raised a few litters to sell for money for their children's education. That makes me feel fine with our decision to buy them, as there was no puppy mill or pet store involved. They were born into a loving family, and they now live with loving humans.

Annie and Otto were spayed and neutered, and never registered with the AKC. I'll leave the puppy breeding to others, we just wanted a couple of babies to spoil. And we do spoil them.

Robin, every meal is a special meal for my "kids". No cupcakes this year, they're both too fat as it is. Annie is on reduced calorie dry food with her lean roast chicken and organic green beans. Otto gets regular dry food with his chicken and veggies. Yes, I spoiled my real human kids, too.

What a sweet picture. I would have had a terrible time choosing....I guess though that the personalities make the decision! Well, Happy Birthday to Annie and Otto---and Many more! They were very lucky to get a home with you.

Sue, choosing Annie was a no brainer, she was the only female left. Mr. Granny wanted a brown puppy, so that gave us two from which to chose (he wasn't with us). Both Amy and Alicia wanted the other brown one, but I went for the one with the busiest tongue. He's still an in-your-face licker!